Prehospital Needle Decompression Improves Clinical Outcomes in Helicopter Evacuation Patients With Multisystem Trauma: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The utility of prehospital thoracic needle decompression (ND) for tension physiology in the civilian setting continues to be debated. We attempted to provide objective evidence for clinical improvement when ND is performed and determine whether technical success is associated with provider factors. We also attempted to determine whether certain clinical scenarios are more predictive than others of successful improvement in symptoms when ND is performed. METHODS: Prehospital ND data acquired from one air ambulance service serving 79 trauma centers consisted of 143 patients (n = 143; ND attempts = 172). Demographic and clinical outcome data were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified by prehospital characteristics and indications. Objective outcomes were measured as improvement in vital signs, subjective patient assessment, and physical examination findings. Univariate analysis was performed using chi-square for variable proportions and unpaired Student's t-test for variable means; p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The success rate of ND performed for hypoxia (70.5%) was notably higher than ND performed for hemodynamic instability (20.3%; p < .01) or cardiac arrest (0%; p < .01). Compared to vital sign parameters, clinical examination findings as part of the indication for ND did not reliably predict technical success (p > .52 for all indications). No difference was observed comparing registered nurse versus paramedic (p = .23), diameter of catheter (p > .13 for all), or length of catheter (p = .12). CONCLUSION: Prehospital ND should be considered in the appropriate clinical setting. Outcomes are less reliable in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest or hypotension with respiratory symptoms; however, this should not deter prehospital providers from attempting ND when clinically indicated. Additionally, the success rate of prehospital ND does not appear to be related to catheter type or the role of the performing provider.

Laser Tattoo Removal: A New Tool for Hospital-based Violence Prevention?

INTRODUCTION: Gang-related tattoos may increase an individual's risk for violent victimization. We present our early experience using a physician-staffed tattoo removal initiative as 1 component of a violence prevention program. METHODS: Surgeons from our trauma department in partnership with a community advocacy group performed voluntary laser tattoo removal for individuals within our catchment area. Clients were asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey. This survey addressed tattoo acquisition, identified motives and goals for tattoo removal, and reported if those goals were met by the tattoo removal service. Issues involving gang affiliation and interpersonal violence were specifically queried. Results are listed as simple percentages. RESULTS: 81 of 122 (66%) program enrollees completed the survey. The average number of laser removal sessions at the time of questionnaire was 3 (range 1-15). 41% of respondents possessed gang or "crew" related tattoos. 22% of respondents possessed a tattoo related to an intimate partner who was gang affiliated. 21% of respondents desired tattoo removal for the motive of leaving gang affiliation with 94% of those respondents reporting success. 59% of respondents sought tattoo removal to improve employment opportunities with 81% of those respondents reporting success. 30% of respondents desired tattoo removal to improve personal safety or avoid violence with 80% of those respondents reporting success. CONCLUSION: Stated client goals for tattoo removal and their subjective reports of success achieving these goals demonstrate the possible effectiveness of laser tattoo removal as a tool to help clients avoid future violence and progress toward gang disengagement. Trauma departments should consider laser tattoo removal as part of future violence prevention initiatives.

Frostbite injuries: independent predictors of outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Frostbite injuries are important causes of morbidity and mortality after trauma. Epidemiology, injury patterns, and outcomes after frostbite among patients presenting to trauma centers are incompletely defined. The purpose of this study was to delineate patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and independent predictors of outcomes after frostbite. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with frostbite injury were identified from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) (2007-2014). Demographics, clinical/injury data, and outcomes were collected. Patients were dichotomized into study groups based on intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Univariate analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U, Fisher's exact, or Chi-Square test as appropriate. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression determined independent predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: Over the study period, 241 patients were identified. Median body temperature on admission was 36.3°C (IQR 33.4-36.7). Mortality was 3% (n= 7). ICU admission was required in 101 (42%) patients and 48 (20%) underwent surgical intervention. On multivariate analyses, mortality was predicted by lower admission GCS (p= 0.027) and amputation by higher HR (p= 0.013). Need for ICU admission was predicted by older age (p= 0.010), male gender (p= 0.040), higher HR (p= 0.031) and ISS (p <0.001), and lower GCS (p= 0.001). Prolonged hospital LOS was predicted by higher heart rate (p <0.001) and ISS (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Frostbite injuries are uncommon but can necessitate surgical intervention and cause mortality. Lower GCS and higher heart rate, but not body temperature, portend poor outcomes. These findings can be used to triage patients appropriately upon admission and to better inform prognosis after frostbite injuries.

Hepatic Compartment Syndrome After a Right-sided Diaphragm Plication.

We present a case of acute hepatic failure due to hepatic vein outflow obstruction after a unilateral right diaphragm plication that required reoperation. This complication does not appear to have been reported previously. After reoperation and the removal of several plication sutures, hepatic vein outflow was restored, and hepatic function normalized soon thereafter.

Youth and Young Adult Victims of Interpersonal Violence at LA County + USC Medical Center: A Review of Epidemiology and Recidivism.

Youth and young adult interpersonal violence (IPV) is a unique clinical challenge which merits study. This study defined the demographics and clinical outcomes of youth and young adult victims of IPV presenting to our hospital while examining violent injury recidivism. We reviewed patients aged 10 to 30 years admitted to our trauma bay as a victim of gunshot wound (GSW), stabbing wound, or blunt assault from 1998 to 2015 (n = 12,549). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare patient mortality across demographic characteristics, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine risk factors for recidivism. Male (92%) and Hispanic patients (75%) constituted the majority of admissions. We observed differences in the mortality rate by gender (9% in males vs 5% in females, P < 0.001), race/ethnicity (5% non-Hispanic white vs 9% Hispanic, P = 0.001), insurance status (3% insured vs 10% uninsured, P < 0.001), and mechanism of injury (13% GSW, 2% stabbing wound, and 0.3% blunt assault, P < 0.001). Male gender, younger age, GSW, and amphetamine placed patients at higher risk for IPV recidivism (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates the need to better understand how demographics and economics are associated with youth and young adult IPV. In addition, future IPV prevention and intervention initiatives can be tailored to suit the unique needs of our population.

Who Would Have Benefited from the Prehospital Use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA)? An Autopsy Study.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has been increasingly used as part of damage control resuscitation for patients with non-compressible truncal hemorrhage. We hypothesized that there might be a select group of patients that could have benefited from prehospital placement of the REBOA. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study including patients who presented to a Level I trauma center with cardiac arrest between January 2014 and March 2018. The findings of a full autopsy were reviewed for the details of internal injuries. A patient was determined to be a REBOA candidate if the patient sustained abdominal organ injuries or pelvic fractures and no associated severe head injuries. The candidate group was compared with the non-candidate group based on prehospital vital signs and other patient characteristics. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify certain prehospital factors associated with candidacy for prehospital REBOA. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients met our inclusion criteria. Of those, 27 (13.6%) patients were deemed REBOA candidates. Median Injury Severity Score was 22 (interquartile range 17 to 29). Patients in the candidate group were more likely to have a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≥9 (48% vs 15%; p = 0.012), oxygen saturation >90% (56% vs 35%; p = 0.03), and systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg (48% vs 26%; p = 0.04) in the field. Logistic regression showed that these 3 clinical parameters of prehospital vital signs were significantly associated with REBOA candidacy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that >10% of trauma patients who presented with cardiac arrest could have benefited from prehospital REBOA. Additional prospective studies are warranted to validate the use of field vital signs in selecting candidates.

Current Burden of Gunshot Wound Injuries at Two Los Angeles County Level I Trauma Centers.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wound (GSW) injuries present a unique surgical challenge. This study explored the financial and clinical burdens of GSW patients across 2 Los Angeles County Level I trauma centers over the last 12 years, and compared them with other forms of interpersonal injury (OIPI). STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of patients presenting as those with GSW and OIPI (defined as combined stab wound or blunt assault), between January 1, 2006 and March 30, 2018, at LAC+USC Medical Center (LAC+USC) and Harbor UCLA Medical Center (HUCLA). Demographic and clinical variables were assessed for GSW patients and compared with victims of OIPI. RESULTS: There were 17,871 patients who met inclusion criteria. There was a significant difference in mortality for patients with GSW vs OIPI (11% vs 2%, p < 0.001). The odds ratio for GSW patients requiring operation was twice as high as those suffering OIPI (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% CI 1.8 to 2.2). The odds ratio for GSW patients requiring ICU admission was 20% higher than that for OIPI patients (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.36). Gunshot wound patients experienced a longer median length of stay vs OIPI patients (3 days vs 2 days, p < 0.001). The median hospital charge per admission for GSW was twice that of OIPI (GSW $12,612 vs OIPI $6,195; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When compared with OIPI, GSW patients arrived more severely injured and required more operations, more ICU admissions, and longer hospital stays. Patients with GSW incurred significantly higher hospital charges and had a significantly higher mortality rate. Gunshot wound injury is a unique public health concern requiring comprehensive, nation-wide, contemporary study.

A Novel, Perfused-Cadaver Simulation Model for Tourniquet Training in Military Medics.

BACKGROUND: Exsanguinating limb injury is a significant cause of preventable death on the battlefield and can be controlled with tourniquets. US Navy corpsmen rotating at the Navy Trauma Training Center receive instruction on tourniquets. We evaluated the effectiveness of traditional tourniquet instruction compared with a novel, perfused-cadaver, simulation model for tourniquet training. METHODS: Corpsmen volunteering to participate were randomly assigned to one of two tourniquet training arms. Traditional training (TT) consisted of lectures, videos, and practice sessions. Perfused-cadaver training (PCT) included TT plus training using a regionally perfused cadaver. Corpsmen were evaluated on their ability to achieve hemorrhage control with tourniquet(s) using the perfused cadaver. Outcomes included (1) time to control hemorrhage, (2) correct placement of tourniquet(s), and (3) volume of simulated blood loss. Participants were asked about confidence in understanding indications and skills for tourniquets. RESULTS: The 53 corpsmen enrolled in the study were randomly assigned as follows: 26 to the TT arm and 27 to the PCT arm. Corpsmen in the PCT group controlled bleeding with the first tourniquet more frequently (96% versus 83%; p < .03), were quicker to hemorrhage control (39 versus 45 seconds; p < .01), and lost less simulated blood (256mL versus 355mL; p < .01). There was a trend toward increased confidence in tourniquet application among all corpsmen. CONCLUSIONS: Using a perfused- cadaver training model, corpsmen placed tourniquets more rapidly and with less simulated-blood loss than their traditional training counterparts. They were more likely to control hemorrhage with first tourniquet placement and gain confidence in this procedure. Additional studies are indicated to identify components of effective simulation training for tourniquets.